His Expressions opens on the Southbank
by Bailey White
Staff Writer
 |
| James Preston in his new shop in Riverplace Tower. |
While His Expressions does offer a traditional shopping experience — you can, for instance, walk in, see a tie you like and buy it — what owner James Preston has created is a way to build a wardrobe, organize it and make life a little simpler for a man as he’s getting dressed in the morning.
“We begin with an end in mind,” said Preston, from his new storefront in Riverplace Tower. “We take a look at what he has and what he needs.”
Preston starts by talking to a customer about his personal clothing needs — does he dress in a suit every day, or is he more casual — and makes note of his client’s budget. He also makes a decision about which color family will look best on his client, whether it’s warm or cool color groups, which will help determine the shirts, ties and suit fabrics he’ll wear.
“Then we put together a plan,” said Preston.
His client may decide to buy a new wardrobe right away, or he might start with a few essentials and pick up the rest piece by piece over the next year or two. Soon, his client’s closet is organized, well-maintained and full of pieces that work together.
While Preston opened His Expressions about two months ago, he’s been in the clothing business for 16 years, mostly by taking his product directly to his customer’s home or office.
“I worked with a national clothing firm for 12 years,” he said. “I went direct to the customer.”
Four years ago, when Preston decided to branch out on his own, he continued to work that way, lugging books full of fabric swatches.
“This is my first storefront,” said Preston. “It’s a more personalized ambience. People are walking by and I can make my clients comfortable.”
Preston, who was born in New Jersey but spent most of his childhood in Alachua County, said customer relations are one of his favorite things about his job.
“I like sales and clothing is one of the essentials,” he said. “I love working with people. It’s a lot of fun taking care of the customer.”
Avondale home to Hayden’s Haberdashery
by Bailey White
Staff Writer
 |
| John Vukelic and Marshall Brittle on the job at Hayden’s Haberdashery. |
The newest clothing shop on St. John’s Avenue caters to men, offering a throwback to the cute, sporty look captured in the book, “The Essential Preppy Handbook.”
“These are classic clothes that never go out of style,” said owner John Vukelic. “We’re a traditional men’s clothing store, and I think we’re a good fit for the area.”
Hayden’s, set in a storefront near Biscotti’s, is a comfortable place to shop.
At a bar in front of the store, Vukelic or store’s manager Marshall Brittle might offer customers a tumbler of scotch or a glass of wine before perusing the racks. Black and white photographs of style icons such as Humphrey Bogart and Douglas Fairbanks line the walls.
Sportswear and suits are from lines such as Robert Talbott, Colonel Littleton, Samuelsohn and Breuer, and a case toward the back holds belts, cuff links, wallets and watches. There are dozens of styles of white shirts by Madeleine Finn, a company that only makes white shirts, and ties by Vineyard Vines and Burberry.
Vukelic’s careful selection of merchandise ensures that the lines all work together.
“The lines complement each other,” he said. “They all play off one another.”
Vukelic, who was born in Rochester, N.Y., gained retail experience from his part in his family’s business, Scratch Golf, at the World Golf Village. The business was sold in 2000, freeing Vukelic to pursue his own projects.
“I recognized the need for a store like this here,” said Vukelic, who named the store after one of his four children. “People were buying out of Houston or Atlanta, because there wasn’t a place to shop in Jacksonville.”
Vukelic cites the William King Clothiers in Bristol, Tenn., as a major source of inspiration. Both he and Brittle grew up shopping there.
Brittle, a native of Virginia and College of Charleston graduate, is a seasoned veteran of the industry. He ran the Ralph Lauren flagship store in Denver and spent years working in Charleston.
“I have a passion for clothes,” he said. “I love to dress and always have.”